71 Tour Reviews

Private Journey | Deluxe

Tour Code: GTT5432839

Southern Japan Private Tour
71 Reviews
8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $7340.00

currency

More Details
Room Type Explained

Single Room

Single room types are rooms for single room occupants.
One person will be occupying the hotel room throughout the tour.

Twin Room

Twin room types are rooms set for two people who will occupy one room, but will have two separate beds.

Double Room

A double room is a room that has one bed for two people to share.

Triple Room

A triple room is one room where three people may share the same room. It has three separate beds.

Japanese Style Room

A Japanese-style room traditionally does not have a western-style bed, it is a tatami floor room with futon bedding. However, if you prefer a western-style bed, you may request one though we cannot guarantee it.

Please note: If you would like to request neighboring rooms next to your traveling companions, you and your traveling companions must have the same room types in order to be next to each other. For example, if you have requested a double room, but your traveling companions have requested a twin, or triple room, then neighboring rooms cannot be accommodated. However, if both you and your traveling companions match in room type, then neighboring rooms will likely be arranged for your convenience.

Travel through Southern Japan, exploring hidden gems and historic monuments along the way.

Designed for travelers wishing to visit more rural Japan, our Southern Japan Private Tour is a great opportunity to see a Japan rarely seen by most visitors. Visit the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku while traveling along on a private coach bus with a knowledgeable English- speaking guide at your side. Learn more about the unique culture and take in the amazing sights that Southern Japan offers. Visit main attractions incuding Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, and Beppu.

Visit Himeji Castle, also known as “White Heron Castle” for its opulent white exterior. Cross the Seto Inland Sea on the Great Seto Ohashi Bridge which will lead you to Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four major islands. Take a peaceful stroll through Ritsurin Garden, where you can admire the many ponds, hills, ancient trees and beautiful pavilions. Travel to the main island of Honshu on a scenic drive across the Shimanami Kaido, one of three roads that connects Shikoku Island to the main island. Journey across the Seto Ohashi Bridge and through Takamatsu before heading to Hiroshima, a city destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today, the city flourishes and offers shopping centers, beautiful gardens, the Memorial Peace Park, and the Atomic Bomb Museuem. A short ferry ride away lies Miyajima, a sacred city famed for its vermilion torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine, also known as the "floating" torii gate. Visit Beppu to see the playful monkeys and Takachiho where you will learn the tale of Amaterasu.

Pay a visit to the Nagasaki Peace Park, a beautiful memorial to the lives lost in the second atomic bombing. The city now holds several parks and gardens, including Glover Garden, an open air museum where the oldest Western style house in Japan stands. Also visit Japan's most famous Christian church, Oura Church. In Fukuoka, you will have the opporutnity to purchase food from local stands at night.

This itinerary can be customized based on your budget and interests. Please feel free to CONTACT US to plan your dream trip to Japan.

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Tour Information

Please Note:

● The price is per person with minimum 2 people, based on twin/double or triple room occupancy.
● The itinerary can be customized based on your interests and budget, please contact us to plan your perfect vacation to Japan.

Deposit

We require US$200 deposit per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 2 month prior to departure.

What's included

• 5 nights Western style and 2 nights Japanese style accommodation
• Meet and greet upon arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport or Itami Airport (ITM)
• Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Private transfers between destinations in Japan
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional English speaking tour guide

Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 3 dinners

Admission fees and activities

All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

What's NOT included

• International Airfares
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills

Additional Information

Transport
Travel by private van between destinations, baggage handling free.
Arrival Departure Airports
For arrivals at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) or Itami Airport (ITM), this tour starts in Osaka and ends Fukuoka, with departs at Fukuoka Airport (FUK).
Meal Requests
Vegetarian or special meals can be arranged.
Meet and Greet
Meet and greet and private airport transfers on arrival and departure included

Itinerary In Brief

Day1 Arrive in Osaka
Day2 Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki
Day3 Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu
Day4 Shimanami Kaido - Hiroshima
Day5 Hirsohima - Kitsuki - Beppu - Takachiho
Day6 Takachiho - Nagasaki
Day7 Nagasaki - Fukuoka
Day8 Tour ends

Click here for detailed itinerary

Tour schedule and prices subject to change without notice

Day1

Welcome to Osaka!

Meet your private driver in the airport's arrival hall and travel to the hotel by private car.

Hotel Elsereine Osaka or similar class

Day2

Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki

In the morning, we will leave our hotel in Osaka and travel to Himeji, where we will visit Himeji Castle. The castle is both a national treasure and a world heritage site, which is why it is considered by many to be Japan's greatest castle. Himeji Castle is also one of twelve original castles that have never been destroyed by fire, war, or natural disasters. After exploring the spectacular castle grounds, we will make our way to Kurashiki, where we will visit the Kurashiki Canal. Take a ride on a boat along the canal, which is surrounded by willow trees and old storehouses. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at our Japanese Ryokan, which also has an onsen bath for you to relax in.

Breakfast / Dinner

Kurashiki Yuga Onsen Hotel Santoka or similar class

Day3

Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu

This morning, we will set out from Kurashiki to Takamatsu, traveling across the Seto Ohashi Bridge. This two-tiered bridge system is the world's longest at 8.1 miles (13.1 km) and is also visible from space. Once we arrive in Takamatsu, we will head to the Shikoku Mura Village, an open-air museum exhibiting Shikoku architecture from the Edo and Meiji Periods. Enjoy a pleasant walk through the museum before heading to Ritsurin Park, a landscape garden built by local feudal lords during the Edo Period. After our long day of exploring, we will head to our hotel for the night, where we will enjoy dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

Imabari Kokusai Hotel or similar class

Day4

Shimanami Kaido - Hiroshima

We will head across the Shimanami Kaido, a long toll road with beautiful views along the drive. This road also connects the island of Shikoku to the main island of Honshu. We will make a stop at the Kirosan Observatory, where you can see stunning scernery and the Shimanami Kaido. Once we are back on Honshu, we will explore Hiroshima, a city wih a tragic history. The Memorial Peace Park area once served as the political and commericial heart of the city. The A-Bomb Museum located in the park was one of the only buildings left standing after the bomb went off. Learn more about the history of the city and its bright future ahead during your time here. In the afternoon, set out to Miyajima, where we will see the famous Itsukushima Shrine, the "floating" torii gate.

Breakfast

Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima or similar class

Day5

Hiroshima - Kitsuki - Beppu - Takachiho

Today, we will travel from Hiroshima to Kokura aboard the speedy bullet train. Once we arrive in Kokura, we will board the "Sonic" Express train to Kitsuki. Once in Kitsuki, we will visit a former Samurai Distrcit, where you can find the Ohara Residence, a preserved home that provides a glimpse into the lives of high-ranking samurai during the Edo and Meiji periods. We will make our way to Beppu, famous for its hot spring resorts, where we will visit the Beppu Hells and Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park, home to 1500 wild Japanese macaques. In the afternoon, we will head to Takachiho Shrine, where we explore the mythology behind Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess the shrine is dedicated to. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Yokagura Performance, in which performers reenact the famous legend of Amaterasu.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Takachiho or simlar class

Day6

Takachiho - Nagasaki

In the morning, we will head to Takachiho Gorge, a picturesque gorge where the Gokase River flows through. Enjoy the calming surroundings of the forest and waterfalls, as well as the tall cliffs which were formed from volcanic basalt. From there, we will make our way to Amano Iwato Shrine, which stands near the cave that Amaterasu is said to have hid herself. Once we have explored Takachiho, we will take a ferry from Kumamoto to Shimabara, where we will stay overnight in Nagasaki.

Breakfast

ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Nagasaki Gloverhill or similar class

Day7

Nagasaki - Fukuoka

We will start our day by exploring the Nagasaki Peace Park, similar to Hiroshima's Memorial Park. This park contains a museum and several monuments dedicated to the victims of the Nagasaki atomic bombing on August 9th, 1945. We will then head to Dejima, where we can see the various structures and houses from the Portuguese and Dutch who once lived there. We will then make a stop at Glover Garden, an open-air museum exhibiting Western-style mansions and buildings. We will then visit Oura church, considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan. We will visit the museum and understand the importance of this church. In the evening, we will spend our last night together in Fukuoka, visiting Yatai Food Stalls. These food stands sell various foods including chicken skewers, Hakata Ramen, and beverages. Enjoy the atmosphere and the food before heading to our hotel for the evening.

Breakfast

Hotel Nikko Fukuoka or similar class

Day8

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends! The rest of your day is free for leisure until your transfer to Fukuoka Airport for your flight.

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

PLEASE NOTE: These are the hotels All Japan Tours generally uses on the touring styles and regions shown. There is no guarantee that you will stay in the lodgings listed on the website. We encourage you to check your travel documentation for confirmation of the exact accommodation you will be staying in.

Miyajima Island

Himeji Castle

Kurashiki Canal Area

Ritsurin Koen Park

Shimanami Kaido

Itsuku-shima-jinja Shrine

Beppu Hells

Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park

Takachiho Gorge

Amano Iwato Shrine

Oura Church

Glover Garden

Destinations

Osaka / Himeji / Kurashiki / Seto Ohashi Bridge / Takamatsu / Shimanami Kaido / Hiroshima / Kitsuki / Beppu / Takachiho / Nagasaki / Fukuoka

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Group Tour Style	Budget	Deluxe	Deluxe-Plus	Signature	Active
Group Tour Style	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours	< View Tours
Feature	Our Budget Tours are designed for our guests who are on a limited budget. Explore the must-see sights and enjoy a hassle-free trip to Japan at an affordable price.	Sample all Japan has to offer, from unique locales to must see tourist attractions. Our Deluxe Tours are fully guided, and use our luxury coaches for your convenience and comfort.	Experience Japanese culture at a slower pace, and with a smaller group size than our deluxe tours. Stay in each city longer so you can soak in the culture and fully appreciate the destinations.	Enjoy upgraded hotels, a slower pace, and a smaller group size for a more intimate experience. Access to a wide range of unique activities that immerse you in authentic Japanese culture.	Explore Japan off the beaten path via Japanese public transportation, walking, hiking, cycling and more. Take more time to enjoy local experiences and picturesque landscape.
Advantage	Our most cost-effective way to see the highlights of Japan while staying in budget-friendly accommodations. If you would like to have a set of quick stops to sample the must-see sights of Japan, or if you plan to explore Japan on your own but would like to take a short trip to learn about Japan before your self-guided journeys, these are the tours for you.	Our most popular tours for everyone. Fully-escorted - the most hassle-free way to visit Japan for the best value. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the duration of our Deluxe Tours range from 5 to 27 days. Whether you want to see the best of Japan in a shorter time, or take your time in each city, you will find a tour package that suits your preferences.	Smaller group sizes enable our guests to access more of Japanese culture and traditions. Our Deluxe-Plus Tours are carefully balanced for you to discover the unique Japanese culture, history, arts, food and spectacular scenery Japan has. If you love Japan and want to appreciate the best of everything Japan can offer, these are the tours for you.	Dive into the cultural aspects of Japan at a more leisurely pace. Enjoy more than just sightseeing. All of our Signature Small Group Tours feature a wide range of cultural experiences through interaction with the people and places that represent all that is authentic about the destination. Get an alternative, more in-depth understanding of Japanese culture and art.	Our Active Small Group Tours combine the best cultural locations with off-the-beaten-path destinations via Japanese public transportation. Discover the country of Japan the way the locals do and see Japan from a different angle. A focus on getting away from the crowds and into the real Japan, see the diversity of Japan’s countryside unfold before your eyes.
Group Size	20 to 45 people	10 to 35 people	6 to 24 people	4 to 16 people	4 to 13 people
Fully-escorted	Comprehensively escorted by AJT's professional English speaking tour guide				Your guides are local experts and residents of the city you are visiting, they do not always escort the group when traveling between cities
Pace	Fast pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	Perfect pace to see as much as possible while in Japan	More leisurely pace to soak in and fully appreciate the destinations, plus free time to explore on your own
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified	Airport transfers are included* (If no options are taken: hotels are not requested to be changed and passengers use the correct airports)	Airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Private airport transfers are included if arriving on the first day of the tour and returning on the last day of the tour	Airport transfers are NOT included unless otherwise specified
Transfer between cities	Transfer between cities via private coach and Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary			Transfer between cities via private coach and first class Shinkansen (bullet train), depending on the itinerary	Transfer between cities via Shinkansen (bullet train) or express train. Private minivans are also used occasionally where public transport is not available or practical
Sightseeing	Sightseeing by private coach with an escorted guide		Sightseeing by private coach and public transportation with an escorted guide		Sightseeing via public transportation (local train, subway & local bus) with local guides
Admission fees and activities	All entry fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary are included
Luggage Transfers	Luggage transfers by private coach from hotel to hotel, plus separate luggage transfers are included on select tours				Separate luggage transfers are included
Meals	Breakfast every morning, plus meals as indicated (vegetarian or special meals can be arranged)
Accommodation	Carefully-selected budget hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected superior/deluxe hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/boutique hotels and ryokans	Carefully-selected deluxe/luxury hotels and ryokans	Accommodations range from local Japanese inns (minshuku) to budget hotels, to superior/deluxe hotels depending on the tour and destination
Ages	4 years old and above			6 years old and above
Health & Activity	In order to enjoy our tour, you should be able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing activities can only be accomplished on foot. Wheelchairs can be arranged upon request. However, we regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.				These tours are tailored to the energetic traveler; guests should feel comfortable walking from 4 to 10 miles a day depending on the tour and destination.

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Southern Japan Private Tour 71 Reviews 8 days 7 nights fromUSD $7340.00 currency

Travel through Southern Japan, exploring hidden gems and historic monuments along the way.

Tour Information

Deposit

What's included

What's NOT included

Additional Information

Itinerary In Brief

Day1

Welcome to Osaka!

Day2

Osaka - Himeji - Kurashiki

Breakfast / Dinner

Day3

Kurashiki - Seto Ohashi Bridge - Takamatsu

Breakfast / Dinner

Day4

Shimanami Kaido - Hiroshima

Breakfast

Day5

Hiroshima - Kitsuki - Beppu - Takachiho

Breakfast / Dinner

Day6

Takachiho - Nagasaki

Breakfast

Day7

Nagasaki - Fukuoka

Breakfast

Day8

Tour Ends

Breakfast

Experiences

Accommodations

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Southern Japan Private Tour
71 Reviews
8 days 7 nights

fromUSD $7340.00

currency

Why Travel on Our
Group Tours